State Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate and state Republican Party Vice-Chair Brian Schimming met on Sunday's "UPFRONT with Mike Gousha"to discuss the results of a recent Marquette Law School poll that shows Republican Gov. Scott Walker with a narrow, 2 percentage point lead over Democratic challenger Mary Burke.

“We feel very good about this,” said Schimming, said on the program, produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com. “We’ve always thought it was going to be hard fought.”

Schimming pointed to Walker’s record, saying the governor improved the state’s economy after inheriting a $3.6 billion deficit by working to lower unemployment to below the national average.

Tate questioned that assertion, citing a different poll that showed 72 percent of respondents feel their financial situation is unchanged, or worse, since Walker took office.

“This is directly because of Scott Walker’s policies that have left us in the dust when it comes to our Midwest neighbors and job production,” Tate said. “We’ve really seen somebody who… pursued a divide and conquer strategy rather than one that brings Wisconsinites together.”

Not all Democrats support Burke in her candidacy, according to Schimming, who described her positions as left of the state.

“The worst kept secret in state politics right now is those divisions in the Democratic Party,” said Schimming.

Although western Wisconsin Sen. Kathleen Vinehout hasn't officially announced her candidacy for governor, the Marquette Law poll showed her trailing Walker by just 3 percentage points. Tate didn't make a case for her potential campaign for governor and didn't express an interest in holding a Democratic primary.

“I think the most important thing for Wisconsin voters is that Kathleen Vinehout is still serving in public office in 2015,” said Tate, alluding to her current Senate seat.

Both leaders said they think their respective parties stand a good chance of controlling the state Senate after the election. Schimming said he thinks Senate President Mike Ellis of Neenah and other senate Republicans will win their elections and that the the GOP may gain an additional seat.

Tate disagreed.

“The Democratic Party is going take control of the state Senate next year,” said Tate. “I’m very confident of that.”

-- Also on the program, Rep. John Nygren explained his personal motivations for sponsoring legislation to change the way Wisconsin law enforcement and courts deal with drug users who call to report drug overdoses.

“The hopes and dreams for the child when you have them, never is addiction part of that hope,” said Nygren, R-Marinette, and co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.

He said his wife came home to find their daughter suffering a heroin overdose.

“The friends were running out the back door at the same time,” said Nygren. “They’re afraid to call because they’re afraid of conviction for possession.”

Since he went public with his daughter’s struggles with addiction and subsequent incarceration and started pushing for changes in the law, Nygren says he has heard similar stories from people all over the state.

“We thought it was unique to Marinette,” said Nygren.

Nygren is pushing for a new law that would give immunity from charges for simple possession to those calling to report an overdose. He says dealers won't be protected under the law.

Additionally, the Marinette Republican backs legislation that would require identification when picking up prescription drugs. Nygren said abuse of the opiate Oxycontin was a factor in his daughter’s addiction and has played a role in increased heroin use around the state. He expressed hope for his daughter’s future.

“She still has the opportunity to be able to turn her life around and be a happy, successful person,” said Nygren.

-- And Rob Zerban said his record as a small business owner sets him apart from incumbent Paul Ryan in the race for Wisconsin’s 1st CD. The Kenosha Democrat portrayed the Janesville Republican as a career politician.

“This is the difference between someone who has been in Washington all of their adult life, and someone who started two businesses,” said Zerban. “I think the people are looking for that kind of experience.”

Challenging Ryan for a second time, Zerban said the lack of debates in the previous election was a factor in his loss. In the 2012 election, Ryan was nominated for vice president, and Zerban noted he managed to win the Janesville Republican’s home town and voting ward.

According to the former Kenosha County supervisor, addressing budgetary waste and fraud, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer money are chief among his campaign issues. He also expressed a desire to focus on economic improvement.

“We need to get people employed again,” Zerban said. “Until we do that you’re facing an uphill battle.”

-- Walker has said he wants consensus among Wisconsin's tribes on whether to build a new casino in Kenosha. Gousha said there are two ways to define consensus.